This is what Universal Orlando Resort trip planning sounds like around the Frog Pond: "We have to do Hagrid's first." "No way ... Escape from Gringotts!" "I was thinking of splashing into the pool at Cabana Bay Beach Resort right after we check in." Yes. Even we (the savvy trip planners) can get hung up on how to tackle our vacation. One of the few things we can agree on is WHEN to go to Universal Orlando. Crowds are only one part of the equation when it comes to considering the best time to visit Universal Orlando! This post outlines some factors to keep in mind when planning your awesome Universal Orlando vacation (and of course, our top recs on when to visit). The biggest news — or should we say, the most EPIC news — is that Universal Epic Universe, Universal Orlando Resort's newest theme park, is now open, giving you a whole new park to explore.
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FAQs
- When is the best time to go to Universal Orlando? Crowd levels at Universal Orlando are most impacted by school schedules and holidays, so if kids are out of school, expect things to be busier. Historically, September has seen the lowest crowd levels once kids are back in school.
- What else should I think about when planning my Universal Orlando visit? Crowd levels are only one consideration when planning when to go to Universal. You can have an incredible trip at any crowd level. Keep weather and special events in mind for your trip, as well. You can find our full, downloadable Universal Planning Guide for first-timers here to help you get a jump start on planning your Universal Orlando vacation.
- What about Epic Universe? The opening of Universal Epic Universe will impact crowd levels throughout 2026. We've found that weekends are less busy at Epic Universe (Sundays especially) than the other Universal parks, with weekdays as the busiest times to visit Epic. However, as multi-day access for Epic Universe has started in 2026, this may change — so stay tuned!
- What if I'm going during a busy time? Don't sweat it! There are free tools like our Universal Itineraries + Park Plans to help you go in with a plan. If you're staying at a Universal hotel, you can utilize Early Park Admission to squeeze in a few more morning rides. And of course, Express Pass is a big help in maximizing your day.
- Where can I see crowd levels and special events? Hop over to Undercover Tourist's Crowd Calendar to see estimated Universal crowd levels, cheapest days, average weather, special events and refurbishments, all in one spot!
Right now, you can Buy 3 Days and Get 2 Days FREE at Universal Orlando Resort (including Epic Universe!)! Valid for visits through Dec. 16, 2026, excluding blockout dates.
Planning When to Go to Universal Orlando in 2026 and 2027
While we have no crystal ball (we wish we did!), we do have historical trends available to pull from when making predictions. We're here to give you our best guesses on crowd levels based on our years of data collection and insights. And, action!
As we've said before with visiting Disney World, there's never a bad time to go to Universal Orlando. The Frog Family has hopped down during every season and successfully managed the crowds. We stick with our basic tips to maximize time — get to the park at opening, take breaks in the afternoon when the parks are at their busiest and make use of Undercover Tourist's FREE planning tools, including:
- Universal Orlando Planning guide, a visual guide to walk you through common questions like which ticket to buy, where to stay and which park has which rides (and what their thrill level and height requirements are)
- Park itineraries (we've got PDFs good for downloading or screenshotting, HTML versions and even an Orlando park plans app to create your own custom Universal park itinerary!)
- Crowd Calendar to see special events, park hours and which park to visit in one spot
Universal's tools are a huge help in the parks during busy times, too:
- Early Park Admission for Universal hotel guests allows you to enter select theme parks — including Epic Universe — up to an hour early (and this is a FREE inclusion for hotel guests!)
- Universal Express can be a game-changer on busy days, especially at Epic Universe (this is a paid add-on, but Express Unlimited is included for guests of select Signature hotels to be used at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida!)
Now that Universal Orlando Resort has officially opened its fourth theme park — Universal Epic Universe — there's even more awesome waiting for you, cementing Universal Orlando as at least a three-day destination. We think a 5-day Universal Orlando vacation, with at least a 3-day Universal ticket, is the sweet spot right now.
We also highly recommend you consider staying at one of Universal’s official hotels that offer Universal Express Unlimited — basically unlimited access to a separate line with a shorter wait for most rides at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. (We can't emphasize this enough! The value of getting your Express Pass for the duration of your stay is huge!) The Universal hotels that offer the benefit are Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort. This benefit is a big help for saving time in the parks, especially if you're visiting on weekends.
Not staying at a select Premier hotel? Not to worry! All Universal Orlando Resort hotels offer Early Park Admission, which is also a super hopful tool to get a jump on your day with up to an hour in the theme parks before general admission begins (including Epic Universe). Truly, the early bird gets the worm. For even more tips for visiting Universal during peak times, hop over to our full post. Note that while Epic Universe does not currently offer Express Unlimited, it IS open for Early Park Admission. (Psst ... Undercover Tourist is now offering Universal Orlando Vacation Packages, helping you save even more on your next vacation by bundling your Universal tickets and hotel stay. Hop here to build your package and stack those savings!)
The sooner you can purchase your tickets, the better chance you'll have at selecting your desired dates (and the more hotel availability you'll find!). Planning ahead is the name of the game — and you've already taken the first step by reading this post :)
Other Factors to Consider
Before booking your vacation to Universal on our site, we recommend you check our Universal Crowd Calendar. You can get a view of the crowd levels by day, month or the whole year. You'll also find individual park recommendations so you can easily see estimated crowd levels, special events, weather and Universal Orlando hours. You can even see Epic Universe hours of operation and details on which parks are offering Early Park Admission, when.
There's no denying that there are busier times to visit Universal Orlando than others. It should come as no surprise that the least busy time to visit Universal Orlando usually falls along with school schedules. Generally, when the tadpoles are out of school, there are higher crowds at Universal.
This applies to one-day holidays such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents' Day. The week of Thanksgiving and from Christmas into the new year are notably busy, as well.
Special events should also be a consideration in deciding the best time to visit, and they are also displayed on the Crowd Calendar. For example, Halloween Horror Nights can scare up a good crowd, and if your spring break trip overlaps with Mardi Gras, you're in for a treat!
Lastly, you may want to consider new attractions, which bring in crowds once they open. It has officially been confirmed that Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, a brand-new roller coaster, is coming to Universal Studios Florida in 2027, and Fast & Furious - Supercharged will permanently close in 2027. An exact timeline has not been shared, but stay tuned for updates.
Epic Universe Crowds
Big openings can draw extra crowds, as well. And arguably the biggest opening in recent years is the all-new Universal Epic Universe theme park.
As of May 22, 2025, guests can portal hop to five all-new worlds at Universal Epic Universe, including Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, Celestial Park, Dark Universe and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic. Of course, we also expect that lots of people are as excited as we were to explore Epic Universe for the first time, which means crowds will be higher than usual for a while. However, with three amazing theme parks to explore at Universal Orlando (plus Volcano Bay, CityWalk and Universal hotels!), we think things will continue to feel manageable. While Express is incredibly valuable at each of the Universal theme parks, we especially feel that springing for Express at Epic Universe is a worthy splurge if it's in your budget; all but one ride is available using Express Pass at Epic Universe, including two of the most in-demand rides: Mine-Cart Madness and Battle at the Ministry. Express not in your budget? We have a few free resources to help you maximize your time in Epic Universe without Express Pass, including an Epic Universe Itinerary and a helpful blog post on how to navigate your Epic day.
We have noticed that weekends at Epic have seen lower wait times than weekdays (thanks to lower weekday ticket and hotel rates). We anticipate elevated crowds to continue at Epic Universe — expect typically busy times to feel busier than usual, and expect historically "slower" dates to be busier than usual, too (think 1 crowd level above the previous year on average, with the busiest dates of the year 2 crowd levels above prior year). The TLDR version: There will be more people in Orlando after Epic Universe opens, but with so much to do — and so many great tools to maximize your time — visits should feel doable from a crowd perspective. In short: The best times to go to Epic Universe will align with the best times to visit Universal Orlando historically, but keep in mind that things will feel busy at Epic Universe for a while.
Undercover Tourist can help you save on your entire Universal Orlando vacation, including Epic Universe tickets, Universal hotel stays and Express Passes. There are some nuances to these, so we've created a whole blog post to walk you through them. In 2026, 3+ Day Universal Orlando tickets offer multi-day Epic Universe access — meaning if you have a 3-Day Base ticket or longer, you could use multiple full days at Epic Universe. This also means if you have a 3-Day or longer Park-to-Park ticket, you will have Park-to-Park access to Epic Universe. As our friend Mario would say, "wahoo!" Will these crowd patterns change as multi-day access to Epic Universe opens up in 2026? So far, the answer to this question is "no," but we're still keeping an eye on things as they evolve, so stay tuned! Keep an eye on our Crowd Calendar and this post, as we'll continue to adjust as we learn more.
Spring — February, March, April
Highlights
In February, Universal Studios Florida hosts the biggest party of the spring — Mardi Gras! The New Orleans-inspired celebration is complete with Cajun and Carnaval flavors from all over the world, a lively Mardi Gras parade with bead throwing from the detailed floats, an impressive concert lineup and more. The jubilation runs from Feb. 7 to April 4, 2026.
Butterbeer Season returns in 2026 from March 1 to May 31! That means you can find specialty Butterbeer treats, merchandise and more.
Things to Consider
Speaking of spring break, the biggest variable for spring crowds is when Easter falls. When it's earlier in the season, there is generally a shorter, more intense "spring break" as school districts narrow down the week they give kids off. When it's later in spring, there is generally a longer but less intense "spring break" season as school districts have more variance in the week they give kids off. In 2026, Easter falls on April 5, meaning we can expect a more condensed season. We expect two spring break waves for 2026: while spring breaks will take place throughout March and April, crowds will feel the heaviest in mid-March, and again in the days around Easter (particularly from Good Friday into the week following Easter).
In 2027, Easter falls on March 28, making for another condensed spring break season, with the heaviest crowd levels from mid-to-late March. There's also a holiday weekend around Presidents Day (Feb. 15, 2027), with additional holidays the week prior around Fat Tuesday (Feb. 9) and Ash Wednesday (Feb. 10) that often lead to elevated crowd levels on both weeks surrounding the holiday.
On select Friday and Saturday nights in April, high school seniors from all over the state and beyond come to celebrate Grad Bash. These dates are important to watch out for because both parks typically close early, as they have exclusive access.
Here are 2026 Grad Bash Dates at Universal:
- April 17
- April 18
- April 24
- April 30
February can still dip into cooler temps, especially during early mornings and evenings. But it starts to warm up (but is still not too hot and humid) in March and April, making it one of the best times to visit in terms of weather.
Our Overall Pick: The first week of March is best if you're aiming for warmer weather before the spring break crowds arrive.
Least Busy
- The last week of February
- The first week of March, before spring break season
- March 1-6, 2027
- Post-Easter/spring break season
- April 20-30, 2026
- April 12-30, 2027
Busiest
- Presidents' Day weekend
- Feb. 12-22, 2026
- Feb. 5-19, 2027
- Spring break season - elevated crowds through March and April, but in particular:
- March 7-31, 2026
- April 1-14, 2026
- March 6-31, 2027
- April 1-11, 2027
Cheapest
- Feb. 1-4, 2026
- March 1-3, 2026
- April 20-21, 27, 2026
*2026 cheapest dates based on a 3-Day Park-to-Park (with Epic Universe) Ticket
Summer — May, June, July
Scream and shout — school's out! The summer crowds are pretty steady as soon as Memorial Day weekend hits, all the way through back-to-school season. The Orlando weather also stays consistent with higher temperatures and afternoon showers.
But what better way to beat the heat than spending a day at Universal Volcano Bay or lounging by the pool at your resort?
Highlights
While there aren't any major events going on at Universal Orlando, Universal Studios Florida usually hosts a low-key Fourth of July celebration. Expect DJ dance parties with SpongeBob, King Julien and other characters and a pyrotechnic display at night.
New for 2025, we were introduced to an all-new ticketed event taking place at night at Volcano Bay, aptly named Volcano Bay Nights. Featuring nighttime lighting, reduced wait times and special entertainment, Volcano Bay Nights was one event we were excited to dive into, so we're glad it's back for 2026! You'll find Volcano Bay Nights on select nights from May 3 to August. 21, 2026.
Things to Consider
May starts out fairly quiet, but can be busier on the weekends. Particularly, on select Friday and Saturday nights, eighth graders celebrate Gradventure nights. Similar to Grad Bash for high school seniors, they get exclusive party hours at both theme parks, which may cause shorter park hours.
Gradventure will take place on the following dates in 2026 at Universal:
- May 1
- May 8
- May 15
- May 21
Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer. Most schools are out of session by the second week of June, meaning crowd patterns will stay consistent until mid-August. In 2026, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25; in 2027, Memorial Day is May 31.
It goes without saying (but yes, we'll say it): Summertime in Orlando is hot, humid and rainy. You'll want to pack your ponchos and water bottles and plan your park day around the elements. It's toadally do-able with a little preparation and the right expectations! We've got our favorite ways to stay cool here.
Our Overall Pick: Weekdays in May are our favorite pick during this timeframe. In general, since summer break is so long, we find that crowds stay pretty manageable (though elevated) outside of the Memorial Day weekend and Fourth of July timeframe. However, May is slightly cooler and slightly less rainy than the following months.
Least Busy
- Monday through Thursday in the first three weeks of May
Busiest
- Memorial Day weekend
- Fourth of July
Cheapest
- May 3-5 & 10-12, 2026
- June 1-3. 7-10, 14-16, 2026
- July 30-31, 2026
*2026 cheapest dates based on a 3-Day Park-to-Park (with Epic Universe) Ticket
Fall — August, September, October
You may be wondering why August is lumped with fall — well, August is unique because the first half of the month typically sees the last of the summer crowds before schools start to jump back into session. In 2026, Halloween Horror Nights will run on select dates from Aug. 28 to Nov. 1! Halloween Horror Nights takes place Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings in the fall, which means if you visit Universal Studios Florida during the daytime in this timeframe, you may see some gear for the evening event, like stages or platforms.
But the second half of August? It starts to slow down as more and more tadpoles begin the new school year, making it a good time to visit if you want lower crowds (especially if you're planning an adults-only trip!). On the flip side, busier holiday weekends include Labor Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day during this timeframe.
Highlights
The popularity of Halloween Horror Nights has brought in more crowds, and the event regularly sells out. If you're visiting the resort for that time, and specifically for that event, make sure you purchase your tickets first and book your hotel early. On weekends, more guests could come in for the event and spend their daytime hours inside the parks. (Psstt ... did you know that you can save even more when you bundle your Universal Orlando tickets and hotel stay when booking through Undercover Tourist? A close place to crash after HHN, PLUS even more money to put towards twisted taters?! Yes, please!)
During this timeframe, all students go back to school, right? Which means Back to Hogwarts, too! From Aug. 1 to Sept. 1, 2026, you can celebrate heading back to school with themed treats, merchandise and photo-ops across the Wizarding Worlds. Likewise, the Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle show will return on select dates in the fall.
Things to Consider
In past years, daytime crowds were typically not impacted too severely by HHN, but you should know that Universal Studios Florida closes early on evenings when the event is taking place at 5 p.m. (Universal Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe stay open!). There was a small crowd exception here for 2025: A new Stay and Scream procedure debuted this year, where HHN attendees with early event access could mix in with regular crowds in the park as early as 3 p.m. to grab a wristband (versus heading to previous years' holding areas), and begin getting in queues for select houses at 4 p.m. That meant we spotted more HHN-goers than in past years during this two-hour window. All of this said, we do find that daytime crowds at Universal Studios Florida on HHN days are lower than usual.
While you shouldn't worry about event crowds terrorizing your day, you'll want to plan accordingly if you want to maximize your time by either visiting Islands of Adventure or Epic Universe, or opting for a park-to-park ticket to hop to another park once Universal Studios Florida closes for the event. Wanna know more about the best time to visit Halloween Horror Nights? We've got all of the details in our full post. For more information on Universal Orlando hours and which nights HHN will be taking place, check out our Crowd Calendar.
Also, keep in mind that September is the height of Orlando's rainy season. You should prepare for daily afternoon thunderstorms and possibly more rain than that. Come prepared with rain gear such as rain jackets, ponchos or umbrellas. With those caveats out of the way, we still feel that fall is a good time to visit Universal Orlando.
Our Overall Pick: Historically, September has been the very best month of the year to visit Universal Orlando in terms of crowds because the kids have just returned to school. It is still our pick for the overall best month to visit.
Least Busy
- The second half of August
- Most days in September (minus the days around Labor Day)
- Most weekdays in October (minus the days around Rosh Hashanah, Diwali and Indigenous Peoples' Day)
Busiest
- The first half of August
- Days around Labor Day
- Sept. 4-7, 2026
- Sept. 3-6, 2027
- Days around Indigenous Peoples' Day
- Sept. 11-13, 21-27, 2026
- Oct. 9-19, 2026
- Oct. 1-4, 8-12, 2027
- Days Around Halloween
- Oct. 30 - Nov. 15, 2026
- Oct. 28 - Nov. 7, 2027
Cheapest
- Aug. 30-31, 2026
- Sept. 1, 8, 14, 2026
- Oct. 5, 19, 26-27, 2026
*2026 cheapest dates based on a 3-Day Park-to-Park (with Epic Universe) Ticket
Winter — November, December, January
From fearful frights to festive lights, Universal Orlando quickly transitions from Halloween horror to holiday galore in November. Orlando weather also cools down, along with lower humidity levels (believe it or not, it can get into the 40s in January!).
However, the pools at the resorts and Volcano Bay are heated, so you can still take a dip if you wish (excluding inclement weather). It's the perfect time for a cup of Hot Butterbeer! These months see some of the busiest times of the year, including the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve.
Highlights
Christmas has also become a bigger deal at Universal Orlando than in past years with the arrival of Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Muggles and wizards alike are flocking to the parks to enjoy the holiday decorations, entertainment and food in Hogwarts and Diagon Alley. Plus, Universal is home to the green meanie himself — The Grinch! In 2026, the holiday season will run from Nov. 14, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027. Even Epic Universe got in the festive spirit in 2025, with decor in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Celestial Park.
Things to Consider
Aside from the major holidays — Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve — there are a few other small holidays and events to keep in mind:
- Veterans Day (Nov. 11)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 18, 2027)
- Rock the Universe (a Christian music festival at the end of January; Jan. 23 & 24, 2026)
With Halloween on the weekend in 2026, plus Election Day holidays and school breaks, there are a few separate days off that run together in early November to become a busier time.
January and February can also see annual ride refurbishments (particularly for water rides) and shorter park hours until spring break season. Note that Volcano Bay will be closed from Oct. 26, 2026, through March 24, 2027.
Our Overall Pick: If the holiday festivities are a must-do, we'd recommend the first week or two of December, before schools are let out for Christmas break — or the week before or after Thanksgiving. Mid- to late-January is another great alternative if you want some of the lowest crowds of the year.
Least Busy
- Weekdays in November (minus the days around Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Week)
- Nov. 16-20, 2026
- Nov. 15-19, 2027
- Weekdays in December (minus the weeks of Christmas and New Year's Eve)
- Weekdays in January (minus Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend)
Busiest
- Early November Holidays, including Veterans' Day
- Oct. 30 - Nov. 15, 2026
- Oct. 28 - Nov. 7, 2027
- The week of Thanksgiving
- Nov. 21-29, 2026
- Nov. 20-28, 2027
- The week of Christmas through the week of New Year
- Dec. 19-31, 2026
- Dec. 18-31, 2027
- The week following the holidays and Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend
- Jan. 1-4, 14-19, 2027
Cheapest
- Nov. 2, 16 & 30, 2026
- Dec. 1, 6-8, 2026
- Jan. 5 & 26, 2026
*2026 cheapest dates based on a 3-Day Park-to-Park (with Epic Universe) Ticket
What If I Can Only Go During a Busy Time?
We get comments all the time from families and teachers who can only go during busy times that overlap with school breaks. Don't panic! Ultimately, the best time to visit Universal Orlando is when you can go. We know lots of people are over-the-moon excited to explore Epic Universe, but are wondering about crowds. Not to worry! We've visited during every season and can manage the crowds with our own tips and park itineraries. Setting realistic expectations is the most important thing you can do! We'll be sure to update with our best advice as things progress.
During busier times, consider purchasing Universal Express passes (which Undercover Tourist can also help you save some green on) or staying at select Universal premier hotels (which provide the free Universal Express Unlimited benefit). And if it's not in the budget, then be sure to take advantage of Early Park Admission if you're staying at any of the Universal Orlando hotels. Regardless of where you're staying, show up early to get a hop on the crowds.
In the summer, take a midday break when it's the most crowded and hottest, whether it's a long lunch at a table-service restaurant or going back to your hotel for a power nap or swim. In the winter, when hours are reduced, plan for more park time and explore the resorts or CityWalk in the evenings — play mini-golf, watch a movie or try your hand at an escape room!
There you have it! Are you ready to hop to Universal Orlando? Let the trip countdown begin! Let us know in the comments below when you're visiting next.
Now you know the best time to go to Universal Orlando in 2026 and beyond. Wondering how crowds will be during your trip? Check out our Crowd Calendar. You'll find more resources to help you plan your Universal Orlando vacation in our downloadable Universal Orlando Planning guide!
Keep hopping!
